Stockchase Opinions

Michael Simpson, CFA Cigna Corp. CI-N PAST TOP PICK Sep 07, 2017

(Top Pick Aug 17/16, Up 39.68%) A US based health insurance company. The news was that last year Anthem had made an offer for them, but he thought the takeover would not go through. There is a large break fee for the deal not going through. He thinks going forward they will buy back stock, invest and raise their dividend. It is another well run story.

$184.980

Stock price when the opinion was issued

Financial Services
It's the ideal tool to help you make quicker, more informed decisions for managing and tracking your investments.

You might be interested:

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Sept 20/16. Up 43%.) He continues to like the US healthcare sector. In the US, if over 65 years of age, you spend 3X as much on healthcare as under the age of 65. This company doesn’t have much exposure to the Affordable Care Act and is well positioned to benefit from those trends.

WATCH
Merged with Express Scripts. Whole sector is under pressure because of a recent announcement. Important area which helps keep medical expenses low. He's looking at the sector.
TOP PICK
US health insurance under pressure. Very cheap. Will benefit from next Democratic government when it makes Obamacare better. Retirees who are living off medicare, but want to buy extra insurance, will go to a company like Cigna. Best value without taking on drug pricing or pipeline risk. Huge tailwind in US healthcare space. Yield is 0.02%. (Analysts’ price target is $214.83)
DON'T BUY
There are better opportunities. It is in a tough space. It is probably not a good market in which to hold stocks that face challenges. All countries are putting pressure on drug prices.
premium

This is a Panic-proof Portfolio opinion which is available only for Premium members

Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

TOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly CI provides healthcare insurance and services in the US and 30 countries worldwide. They have over 170 million customers. It trades at 15x earnings, compared to the peer average of 23x. Its PEG ratio is 0.95 with earnings growth exceeding 27% this year. Earnings are expected to grow over 10% annually for the next five years. It pays a dividend backed by a payout ratio of only 0.3%. We would buy this with a stop-loss at $167, looking to achieve $257 -- upside exceeding 22%. Yield 1.89% (Analysts’ price target is $257.25)
premium

This is a Panic-proof Portfolio opinion which is available only for Premium members

Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Feb 11/21, Up 22.5%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly CI has achieved our objective of $257. To be disciplined we recommend covering 50% of the position and trailing up the stop from $167 to $245. This would all but guarantee a minimum investment return of 19% if triggered.
premium

This is a Panic-proof Portfolio opinion which is available only for Premium members

Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Feb 11/21, Up 16.8%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly Our PAST TOP PICK with CI has triggered its $245 stop. We recommend covering the balance of the position at this time. Combined with the previous recommendation to cover 50%, this creates a total investment return over 19%
TOP PICK
Healthcare is a unique performer during times of economic deceleration, providing defense and growth. Stable contract with US Defense Department. Share repurchase. 12x forward earnings, value name. 11% growth rate. Reports August 4. Yield is 1.65%. (Analysts’ price target is $295.36)
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jul 27/22, Up 8%)

Exited, and allocated proceeds to UNH, as it's a better performer, larger scale. He also had concerns over customer concentration. Not expensive at 12x forward earnings plus 1.7% yield.

TOP PICK

Shares are down because the market fears they will do a tie-up deal with Humana, but CI bowed out. This is good given Human's problems. Managers are excellent, making good deals. EPS grew 13% compounded annual growth rate from 2013-2023. Are buying back shares and pay a dividend.

(Analysts’ price target is $397.05)